GREEN BAY, Wis. — Brett Favre is back. It remains to be seen whether he'll still be the leader of the Pack.

The Green Bay Packers reluctantly embraced Favre's forced return to the football field yesterday, after failing to come to a financial agreement that would manage to make Favre happy while staying retired.

And while it's not yet clear what role Favre will play once he reports to Packers camp today, Aaron Rodgers says he's ready for a potential competition with Favre after serving as his backup for three seasons.

"Well, there comes time when (my) mentor and I get to compete, and I guess that's what's going to happen," Rodgers said after a scrimmage last night. "If that's what happens, then I'm going to give it my best shot and leave the rest up to coach."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he hasn't decided what direction his quarterback situation will take. Given Favre's track record of waffling on his football future, McCarthy first wants to talk to Favre today before he makes any decision on opening the job up to competition.

"There have been no promises," McCarthy said. "Once again, there has been indecision throughout Brett's path back here to Green Bay. It's important for us to sit down and communicate."

The NFL announced yesterday that Favre will be reinstated and added to the Packers' active roster today. Commissioner Roger Goodell had held off on granting Favre's request for reinstatement for nearly a week, hoping Favre and the team could resolve their standoff.

"Although we built this year around the assumption that Brett meant what he said about retiring, Brett is coming back," said team president and CEO Mark Murphy. "We will welcome him back and turn this situation to our advantage."

A private plane carrying Favre, wife Deanna and agent James "Bus" Cook arrived in Green Bay shortly after 8 p.m. EDT last night.

The reinstatement will become effective at 1 p.m. EDT today, when Favre will be added to the Packers' active roster. By reinstating Favre, Goodell is following through on a recent promise to force action.

"I'm happy," veteran receiver Donald Driver said. "I'm excited. It's good to have him back in the house."

Meanwhile, the Packers announced the signing of Ryan Grant yesterday, a day after the running back and team agreed to a four-year deal worth up to $30 million.

Grant was in uniform and pads last night for the Packers' annual "Family Night" scrimmage, but was not expected to participate in live action.

Grant was an exclusive-rights free agent but refused to sign his tender offer from the team in hopes of working out a longterm deal. He did not report to camp earlier this week, and talks between the two sides had stalled until late in the week.

RAVENS

RB MCGAHEE AILING

Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee might miss Thursday's preseason opener against the New England Patriots because of an ailing left knee.

"Right now, we need to get the fluid out of his knee and get that thing settled down a little bit," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said.

Rookie Ray Rice could get the start in his NFL debut because of the injury to McGahee.

Tight end Todd Heap also missed practice with a right calf injury, which is not believed to be serious.

GIANTS

WR BURRESS RUNNING

Receiver Plaxico Burress did some light running last night for the first time since the New York Giants opened training camp at the University at Albany, N.Y., more than a week ago.

Burress, who has missed all 14 practices, has been bothered by a problem with his right ankle that's not related to the one he had a year ago.

Burress, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute of the Super Bowl, was examined by team doctors yesterday.

COWBOYS

T.O. GETS A BREAK

Terrell Owens took it easy at Dallas Cowboys training camp yesterday at Oxnard, Calif., getting a day off from practice along with tight end Jason Witten and linebacker Zach Thomas.

All three players were on the field, but were in shorts and only spectators for the lone workout of the day. It was the Cowboys' 10th consecutive day of practices since opening camp.

Since the team isn't scheduled to be off until next Sunday, the day after their preseason opener, coach Wade Phillips had indicated that he might start periodically giving some veteran players time off.